FISHING FOR ART What’s in a (smelly) name? Quite a few visitors, if you’re one of the artists lucky enough — and good enough — to land a berth on the Stinking Fish Studio Tour. Named after the aboriginal term for Metchosin, the SFST is a collective of well-known artists who live in Metchosin and East Sooke. This is the tour’s 12th year, and it is one of the best and most popular events of its kind on the South Island, attracting many hundreds of visitors over its 10-day span. There are 21 artists this year, including seven guest artists who were juried in. “We’re looking for quality and diversity,” explains Cheryl Taves, a painter and printmaker who is now a tour veteran. According to Taves, it takes two days to take in the full route properly. She advises studying the map available from the website and making an appropriate plan based on geography and one’s personal interests. She also recommends dropping in on one of the area’s classic restaurants such as the My-Chosen Café, the Broken Paddle, or the Smoking Tuna Cafe, which is right on the water in East Sooke’s Becher Bay. “Many of the artists have amazing gardens that add a whole experiential layer to a studio visit,” notes Taves. All participating artists are listed on the website, including woodworker Doug McBeath, internationally renowned potter Robin Hopper, and award-winning Jennifer Kivari, a mosaic artist who recycles found materials like coffee beans and beach pebbles. “There is so much great art to be seen,” says Taves. “Make a day of it!” From August 3-12 at various studios. For maps and information, go to stinkingfishstudiotour.com.
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Clockwise: Judi Dyelle's Star Bowl, porcelain; Lorraine Thorarinson Betts' Witness, mixed media oil; Bonnie Coulter's Canned Salmon II, salmon tins and other metals.
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